Beacon-Ministries Presents What Everyone Needs to Know About the Bible.

Beacon-Ministries Beacon-Ministries PresentsPresents

What Everyone Needs to What Everyone Needs to Know About the Bible Know About the Bible

IntroductionIntroduction

The BIBLE IS God's love letter written The BIBLE IS God's love letter written to us. to us.

The Bible tells us who we are, how The Bible tells us who we are, how we were made, how we were lost, we were made, how we were lost, and how we were purchased back.and how we were purchased back.

When we spend time reading and When we spend time reading and thinking about the things which are thinking about the things which are written in the Bible, we change. written in the Bible, we change.

IntroductionIntroduction

The Bible is living. The Bible is living. God gave us His inerrant, verbally God gave us His inerrant, verbally

inspired word, which is of absolute inspired word, which is of absolute authority and He recorded, authority and He recorded, preserved, translated, and preserved, translated, and transmitted it in written form, called transmitted it in written form, called the Bible and/ or Holy Scriptures.the Bible and/ or Holy Scriptures.• But what does all this mean?But what does all this mean?

Terms to UnderstandTerms to Understand

To understand the importance of the To understand the importance of the Bible we need to understand some Bible we need to understand some terms used to describe it.terms used to describe it.

These terms are useful to know These terms are useful to know because they explain the importance because they explain the importance of the Bible to all believers.of the Bible to all believers.

TermsTerms INERRANTINERRANT – free from error – free from error of any kindof any kind

(including historical, chronological, genealogical (including historical, chronological, genealogical and scientific error), no errors, totally and and scientific error), no errors, totally and completely exempt from errors, absolutely true, completely exempt from errors, absolutely true, no mistakes, no flaws, no contradictions, no no mistakes, no flaws, no contradictions, no discrepancies, no inconsistencies, no discrepancies, no inconsistencies, no inaccuracies, no disagreements, no inaccuracies, no disagreements, no imperfections, no defects, no deceptions, no imperfections, no defects, no deceptions, no blunders, no lies (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18), no blunders, no lies (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18), no falsity, no misconceptions, no false impressions, falsity, no misconceptions, no false impressions, the TRUTH, the whole TRUTH, and nothing but the the TRUTH, the whole TRUTH, and nothing but the TRUTHTRUTH (John 17:17; Psalm 119:160).(John 17:17; Psalm 119:160).

TermsTerms INFALLIBLEINFALLIBLE – not liable to error (hence a – not liable to error (hence a

synonym for synonym for inerrantinerrant); incapable of being ); incapable of being wrong or mistaken or inaccurate or wrong or mistaken or inaccurate or misleading; absolutely trustworthy and misleading; absolutely trustworthy and sure. The term is sometimes used of sure. The term is sometimes used of persons. For example, it has been claimed persons. For example, it has been claimed by some that the Pope is infallible. No by some that the Pope is infallible. No POPE or PRIEST or PASTOR or PERSON is POPE or PRIEST or PASTOR or PERSON is infallible, but God is infallible and thus His infallible, but God is infallible and thus His Word is infallible (John 10:35). People may Word is infallible (John 10:35). People may err, but not the Bible (Matthew 22:29). err, but not the Bible (Matthew 22:29).

TermsTerms AUTHORITATIVEAUTHORITATIVE – the Bible has absolute – the Bible has absolute

authorityauthority (power, dominion, rule, control) over me (power, dominion, rule, control) over me so that I must bow before the authority of the Word so that I must bow before the authority of the Word (Isa. 66:2; Ezra 9:4; 1 Sam. 3:9-10) without (Isa. 66:2; Ezra 9:4; 1 Sam. 3:9-10) without doubting it, debating it, questioning it (Gen. 3:1), doubting it, debating it, questioning it (Gen. 3:1), contradicting it (Gen. 3:4), disbelieving it, changing contradicting it (Gen. 3:4), disbelieving it, changing it, redefining it, adding to it, subtracting from it it, redefining it, adding to it, subtracting from it (Rev. 22:18-19); or objecting to it ("but look what (Rev. 22:18-19); or objecting to it ("but look what science says," "but that's old fashioned," "but I science says," "but that's old fashioned," "but I don't like that verse"). The Serpent (Devil) wants don't like that verse"). The Serpent (Devil) wants people to think that YOU CAN'T BE people to think that YOU CAN'T BE SURESURE (convinced, confident, positive, certain, settled, (convinced, confident, positive, certain, settled, dogmatic, decided) ABOUT WHAT GOD SAYS. This dogmatic, decided) ABOUT WHAT GOD SAYS. This is why the unbeliever give the constant objection, is why the unbeliever give the constant objection, "BUT THAT'S JUST YOUR INTERPRETATION." "BUT THAT'S JUST YOUR INTERPRETATION."

TermsTerms INSPIREDINSPIRED – the word is defined in 2 Timothy 3:16. The – the word is defined in 2 Timothy 3:16. The

Greek word isGreek word is theopneustos theopneustos which literally means "GOD- which literally means "GOD-BREATHED." To say that "all Scripture is God-breathed" is to BREATHED." To say that "all Scripture is God-breathed" is to say that all Scripture is breathed out from the mouth of say that all Scripture is breathed out from the mouth of God, as if God were actually speaking the very words. God, as if God were actually speaking the very words. [Technically it might be more correct to speak of [Technically it might be more correct to speak of "expiration" rather than "inspiration."] Thus, in Psalm 33:6, "expiration" rather than "inspiration."] Thus, in Psalm 33:6, according to Hebrew parallelism, the expression "the breath according to Hebrew parallelism, the expression "the breath of His mouth" is equivalent to the expression "the Word of of His mouth" is equivalent to the expression "the Word of the Lord." Whenever we speak, we are breathing out words. the Lord." Whenever we speak, we are breathing out words. To say that we are breathing out words is another way of To say that we are breathing out words is another way of saying that we are speaking. The Bible is GOD SPEAKING! saying that we are speaking. The Bible is GOD SPEAKING! God has breathed out the Scriptures and the whole Bible is God has breathed out the Scriptures and the whole Bible is from the MOUTH OF GOD! All Scripture is God's Word. After from the MOUTH OF GOD! All Scripture is God's Word. After every verse in the Bible we could rightly say, "THE MOUTH every verse in the Bible we could rightly say, "THE MOUTH OF THE LORD HAS SPOKEN IT!" Thus, to say that there are OF THE LORD HAS SPOKEN IT!" Thus, to say that there are errors in the Bible is to say that God has ERRED in what errors in the Bible is to say that God has ERRED in what HE HE HAS SAIDHAS SAID. How blasphemous!. How blasphemous!

TermsTerms PLENARY INSPIRATIONPLENARY INSPIRATION – the Bible is – the Bible is fullyfully and and completelycompletely

inspired (2 Tim. 3:16 – "inspired (2 Tim. 3:16 – "ALLALL Scripture"), not just some parts Scripture"), not just some parts (or the parts you like best). This would include Genesis (or the parts you like best). This would include Genesis chapters 1-11, the historical sections, the numerical chapters 1-11, the historical sections, the numerical listings, the chronological details, the genealogies and listings, the chronological details, the genealogies and every other part of the Bible. every other part of the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares that "2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares that "ALL SCRIPTUREALL SCRIPTURE...is ...is profitable for doctrine (teaching)." In other words, this profitable for doctrine (teaching)." In other words, this passage teaches that the entire Bible relates to matters of passage teaches that the entire Bible relates to matters of faith and practice–that's why God gave it. Thus, all faith and practice–that's why God gave it. Thus, all Scripture is "revelational" and all Scripture must be Scripture is "revelational" and all Scripture must be inerrant. Let no man dare to decide which parts of the Bible inerrant. Let no man dare to decide which parts of the Bible are true! What folly for a mere man to choose what parts are true! What folly for a mere man to choose what parts he will accept and what parts he will reject! How wise is he will accept and what parts he will reject! How wise is that man who gladly receives that man who gladly receives ALLALL the Bible as God's truth! the Bible as God's truth!

TermsTerms

VERBAL INSPIRATIONVERBAL INSPIRATION – Even the very – Even the very WORDSWORDS (not just the ideas) are inspired (not just the ideas) are inspired (Psalm 12:6; Prov. 30:6), as recorded in (Psalm 12:6; Prov. 30:6), as recorded in the original manuscripts (autographs) as the original manuscripts (autographs) as penned by the Bible writers. Though we do penned by the Bible writers. Though we do not possess the original copies of not possess the original copies of Scripture, the manuscripts which we do Scripture, the manuscripts which we do have are of such quality and completeness have are of such quality and completeness and abundance that we can know with and abundance that we can know with great accuracy what the original text of great accuracy what the original text of Scripture said.Scripture said.

TermsTerms

JOT AND TITTLE INSPIRATIONJOT AND TITTLE INSPIRATION – A – A jotjot is the smallest letter in the is the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet and a Hebrew alphabet and a tittletittle is a tiny is a tiny mark which enables one to mark which enables one to distinguish between two Hebrew distinguish between two Hebrew letters which look very similar (see letters which look very similar (see next slide):next slide):

TermsTerms

TermsTerms

Every jot and title is inspired and will be Every jot and title is inspired and will be fulfilled (Matthew 5:18; Luke 16:17). Or as fulfilled (Matthew 5:18; Luke 16:17). Or as we might say in English, every dotting of we might say in English, every dotting of the "i" and crossing of the "t" is important the "i" and crossing of the "t" is important in God's Word. Thus, inspiration extends in God's Word. Thus, inspiration extends even to the smallest details of the sacred even to the smallest details of the sacred text as originally given when "Holy men of text as originally given when "Holy men of God spoke (and wrote) as they were God spoke (and wrote) as they were moved by the holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21).moved by the holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21).

InspirationInspiration

II Tim.3:16 All scripture is II Tim.3:16 All scripture is given by given by inspiration of Godinspiration of God, and is profitable , and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in correction, for instruction in righteousness: righteousness:


II Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came II Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. moved by the Holy Ghost.


Acts 1:16 Men and brethren, this Acts 1:16 Men and brethren, this scripture must essentially have been scripture must essentially have been fulfilled, which fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spokethe mouth of David spoke before before concerning Judas, which was guide to concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. them that took Jesus.


The very words uttered by the Bible The very words uttered by the Bible writers are Spirit filled words.writers are Spirit filled words.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that gives John 6:63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing: life; the flesh profits nothing: the the wordswords that I speak to you, that I speak to you, they are they are spiritspirit, and they are life., and they are life.


Because the words are the Spirit’s words, Because the words are the Spirit’s words, they are God’s words and not man’s.they are God’s words and not man’s.

Every word of the Bible is God’s words Every word of the Bible is God’s words given to man.given to man.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, alone, but by every word that but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.proceeds out of the mouth of God.


We are to live our lives by these God We are to live our lives by these God breathed words.breathed words.

I Tim. 6:3 If any man teach I Tim. 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, wholesome words, even the words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christof our Lord Jesus Christ, and to , and to the doctrine which is according to the doctrine which is according to godliness; godliness;


God gave to the writers of Scripture God gave to the writers of Scripture the very words He wanted to be the very words He wanted to be communicated.communicated.

God put His words in the mouth of God put His words in the mouth of the prophet.the prophet.

The words the prophet spoke or The words the prophet spoke or wrote, are God’s words.wrote, are God’s words.

InspirationInspiration Jeremiah 1:4-9Jeremiah 1:4-9

• 1:4 Then the word of YAHWEH came to me, saying, 1:4 Then the word of YAHWEH came to me, saying, • 1:5 Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and 1:5 Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and

before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations. and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.

• 1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: 1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. for I am a child.

• 1:7 But YAHWEH said to me, Say not, I am a child: for 1:7 But YAHWEH said to me, Say not, I am a child: for you shall go to all that I shall send you, and you shall go to all that I shall send you, and whatsoever whatsoever I command you, you shall speak. I command you, you shall speak.

• 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with you to 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with you to deliver you, says YAHWEH. deliver you, says YAHWEH.

• 1:9 Then YAHWEH put forth his hand, and touched my 1:9 Then YAHWEH put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And YAHWEH said to me, Behold, mouth. And YAHWEH said to me, Behold, I have put my I have put my words in your mouth. words in your mouth.


Jesus Claimed His Words Are the Jesus Claimed His Words Are the Words of God.Words of God.• John 5:56-47John 5:56-47

5:46 For had all of you believed Moses, all of 5:46 For had all of you believed Moses, all of you would have believed me; for he wrote of you would have believed me; for he wrote of me.me.

5:47 But if all of you believe not his writings, 5:47 But if all of you believe not his writings, how shall all of you believe my words? how shall all of you believe my words?


Jesus Claimed His Words Are the Words of Jesus Claimed His Words Are the Words of God.God.• John 6:63 It is the spirit that gives life; the John 6:63 It is the spirit that gives life; the

flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, you, they are spiritthey are spirit, and they are life., and they are life.

• John 14:10 Believe you not that I am in the John 14:10 Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak to you I speak not of myself: but speak to you I speak not of myself: but the the Father that dwells in meFather that dwells in me, he does the , he does the works.works.


Warnings Against Tampering With Warnings Against Tampering With the Words.the Words.• Proverbs 30:5-6Proverbs 30:5-6

30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield to them that put their trust in him.shield to them that put their trust in him.

30:6 30:6 Add you not to his wordsAdd you not to his words, lest he , lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.reprove you, and you be found a liar.


Proverbs clearly shows we are not to Proverbs clearly shows we are not to add to God’s word.add to God’s word.• To add to God’s word is to put ideas, To add to God’s word is to put ideas,

thoughts, words, or phrases to God’s thoughts, words, or phrases to God’s word.word.

• An example of this is the Roman An example of this is the Roman Catholic Bible which adds the Catholic Bible which adds the Apocrypha, and extra chapters and Apocrypha, and extra chapters and verses to some of the books.verses to some of the books.


It is just as bas to subtract things It is just as bas to subtract things from God’s word.from God’s word.• Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall

take away from the words of the book take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. which are written in this book.


Examples of subtracting things from Examples of subtracting things from God’s word are many modern Bible God’s word are many modern Bible Versions leaving Bible verses out. Versions leaving Bible verses out. Many newer versions leave out Many newer versions leave out verses like 1 John 5:7, the last nine verses like 1 John 5:7, the last nine verses of Mark etc.verses of Mark etc.• There are however, many good newer There are however, many good newer

translations that do not subtract, or add translations that do not subtract, or add to God’s word.to God’s word.

Progressive RevelationProgressive Revelation

What is progressive revelation, and What is progressive revelation, and why is it important to understand it? why is it important to understand it?

We are a very blessed generation to We are a very blessed generation to live in this present administration live in this present administration (dispensation, or economy) of grace. (dispensation, or economy) of grace.

We have the completed written We have the completed written record God gave to man – the Bible! record God gave to man – the Bible! But sometimes we forget that the But sometimes we forget that the Bible was not given all at once. Bible was not given all at once.


We sometimes have the idea that We sometimes have the idea that everybody had the Bible like we do. everybody had the Bible like we do. What we need to understand is that What we need to understand is that the Bible was progressively revealed the Bible was progressively revealed – a little bit at a time. – a little bit at a time.

There is great truth in that there are There is great truth in that there are only three reasons that God ever only three reasons that God ever gave new revelation at any time. gave new revelation at any time. They are as follows:They are as follows:

Progressive RevelationProgressive Revelation To further explain a revelation. Think back to To further explain a revelation. Think back to

when God first gave the law to Moses at the when God first gave the law to Moses at the beginning of the wilderness wanderings. God beginning of the wilderness wanderings. God took Moses up to the mountain, gave him the took Moses up to the mountain, gave him the law, Moses then brought it back down, even law, Moses then brought it back down, even though the people had already broken it by that though the people had already broken it by that time. Thirty-nine or forty years later, God gave time. Thirty-nine or forty years later, God gave the law to Moses again - Why? Because Israel the law to Moses again - Why? Because Israel had wandered about for forty years and new had wandered about for forty years and new situations had arose, and the new generation of situations had arose, and the new generation of Israelites needed to hear the anew. This is why Israelites needed to hear the anew. This is why we have the Book of Deuteronomy; it is the we have the Book of Deuteronomy; it is the second giving of the law. It is a further second giving of the law. It is a further explanation of things found in the original explanation of things found in the original giving of the law.giving of the law.

Progressive RevelationProgressive Revelation To modify a previous revelation.To modify a previous revelation. To replace previous revelation, or to To replace previous revelation, or to

supersede it.supersede it.• There are really two kinds of progressive There are really two kinds of progressive

revelation. The first one is progression within revelation. The first one is progression within the dispensation (administration, or the dispensation (administration, or economy). economy).

• within a dispensation, God progresses and within a dispensation, God progresses and adds new things to the things that were adds new things to the things that were already there. Galatians 3:17 says, “And this I already there. Galatians 3:17 says, “And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ…” What covenant is before of God in Christ…” What covenant is this? this?


It is the promise, the original It is the promise, the original covenant that God made with covenant that God made with Abraham. Paul says, “And this I say, Abraham. Paul says, “And this I say, that the covenant, which was that the covenant, which was confirmed before of God in Christ, confirmed before of God in Christ, the Law, which was four hundred and the Law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of that it should make the promise of none effect.” none effect.”


.” In other words, Paul is saying, here .” In other words, Paul is saying, here is a progression. You still have the is a progression. You still have the basic promise, but to it God added basic promise, but to it God added the law. Why? Verse 19 tells us it was the law. Why? Verse 19 tells us it was added because of transgressions. added because of transgressions. This is progression within a This is progression within a dispensation. dispensation.


Second, you have progression to a Second, you have progression to a new dispensation.new dispensation.

Sometimes a new revelation Sometimes a new revelation supersedes previous revelation. supersedes previous revelation. • Examples:Examples:

God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, told the God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, told the twelve apostles to go into all the world and twelve apostles to go into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them. The teach all nations, baptizing them. The majority of Christians go back to that majority of Christians go back to that passage of Scripture for their “marching passage of Scripture for their “marching orders,” their “commission.” orders,” their “commission.”


But what we need to understand is But what we need to understand is that sometimes-new revelation that sometimes-new revelation supersedes former revelation and supersedes former revelation and replaces it. replaces it. • . As we read in I Corinthians 1:17, Paul . As we read in I Corinthians 1:17, Paul

says “For Christ sent me not to baptize, says “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the good news.” Here is but to preach the good news.” Here is new revelation, superseding the old new revelation, superseding the old revelation. revelation.

Progressive RevelationProgressive Revelation Does that mean we doubt whether that old Does that mean we doubt whether that old

revelation was true? revelation was true? No, it was true; we do not doubt that at all. No, it was true; we do not doubt that at all. It was true for the generation that He specifically It was true for the generation that He specifically

spoke to, but God superseded it with new spoke to, but God superseded it with new revelation. revelation.

There are no ordinances in this present There are no ordinances in this present dispensation of grace. According to the book of dispensation of grace. According to the book of Colossians, the Bible says that in this present Colossians, the Bible says that in this present age, God has blotted out the handwriting of age, God has blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us (Col.2:14). ordinances that was against us (Col.2:14).

Progressive RevelationProgressive Revelation That statement (Col.2:14) supersedes or That statement (Col.2:14) supersedes or

overshadows previous revelation. overshadows previous revelation. For this reason, we do not have ordinances For this reason, we do not have ordinances

any more. any more. God also gave new revelation concerning God also gave new revelation concerning

salvation through the pen of the Apostle salvation through the pen of the Apostle Paul. Salvation today has nothing to do Paul. Salvation today has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with Jesus with you, and everything to do with Jesus Christ. Christ.

Today salvation is granted to all men by Today salvation is granted to all men by the work Jesus Christ performed on the the work Jesus Christ performed on the cross (I Tim.4:10).cross (I Tim.4:10).

Beacon-Ministries Presents What Everyone Needs to Know About the Bible.

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